Secondary Admissions for September 2012

Transfer of Pupils to Secondary Schools September 2012

Your questions answered

Advice for Parents & Carers on Completing the Attached Form

1. Why do I need to complete the preference form?

By law, the Local Authority (LA) must give you an opportunity to express a preference for the school you would like your child to attend, and to give reasons for your preference. The relevant Admissions Authority must offer a place according to preferences, up to each school's published admission number (published in the 'Parents' and Carers' Guide to Education Services in Wrexham'). Please note that although the LA will endeavour to ensure that your child goes to your preferred school, there is no automatic right for your child to be educated at your preferred school. Parents can state up to 3 preferences indicating the order of preference.

2. What happens if I do not complete and return the preference form?

If you do not complete and return this form by the required date the relevant authority may not be able to offer your child a place at your preferred school within the Wrexham area (this includes church aided and foundation schools) for September 2012.

3. If I ask for a different school other than the nearest suitable secondary school, will I get free transport?

Please refer to the Transport Policy published in 'Parents' and Carers' Guide to Education Services in Wrexham'. If you express a preference for a school that is not your nearest suitable school, then you will have the responsibility to make and pay for arrangements for your child to go to that school.

4. I have an older child already attending my preferred school – do I still need to return this form?

Yes, you must still complete and return the form.

5. If I do not get a place at my first preference school, and it is not my designated secondary school, will I then be able to have a place at my designated school?

If you name as your first preference a school other than the nearest secondary school and your application is unsuccessful, your other preference(s) will then be considered in line with the admission authoritiy's published over-subscription criteria. The information booklet enclosed with this form shows the number of places available at each school, and the anticipated numbers for September 2011 This is only a guide and the position may, however, be different in 2012.

6. If there are more preferences than places available at my preferred school, how will the places be allocated?

Preferences for places at LA community schools are considered on the basis of the Authority's published over-subscription criteria which is published in the 'Parents' and Carers' Guide to Education Services in Wrexham'. The information that you provide on the attached form is important.

All preferences received within the stated timescale of 05/09/2011 to 31/10/2011 are considered before late applications. If your application is late then your child may not be offered a school place at your preferred Wrexham maintained school for September 2012, as the school may be full.

If you wish to put forward medical and/or psychological circumstances in support of your preference for a particular school, then you must attach written evidence from a medical practitioner or psychologist.

Preferences for places at church aided and foundation schools will be considered against that school's published admissions criteria. Admission policies are published in the 'Parents' and Carers' Guide to Education Services in Wrexham'.

7. What can I do if my preferences are not met?

If your preferences cannot be met, you will be invited to express further preferences. If this happens you will still have a right of appeal against the decision not to meet your first (or other) preference to an independent appeals panel. Submitting an appeal will not affect any second preference school place already allocated to your child. Information about admission appeals can be found in the 'Parents' and Carers' Guide to Education Services in Wrexham'.

8. I am applying to the voluntary aided Catholic/Anglican secondary school (St. Joseph’s), or the Foundation school (Maelor School, Penley) should I complete the form?

Yes, as the LA collates this information and passes it to that school. However, as the LA is not the admitting authority for these schools, all parents wishing to apply for a place at St Joseph's Catholic and Anglican High School or The Maelor School Penley, must also contact that school in the first instance to make an appointment to visit the school and meet the headteacher. (Please note that this is not an interview but an opportunity for parents to seek information regarding provision in these schools).

9. I am applying to an independent school or a school in another local authority for September 2012 – should I still complete this form?

Yes, as the Authority collates this information and passes it to the appropriate outside authority. Even if your first preference is for a school outside Wrexham County Borough, it is essential that you also use this form to state a preference for a Wrexham County Borough maintained school, in case your application for an independent or non-County Borough school is unsuccessful. You should also contact the appropriate admission authority as you may be required to complete additional forms.

If your child has already been offered a definite place at an independent or other LA maintained school, please state this on the application form.

10. Can I use a different address, other than home address, for my child’s application?

No, the Authority will accept only the pupil's home address and not that, for example, of childminder or grandparents. Parents may be asked to provide official documentation showing home address. Parents are advised that a school place may be lawfully withdrawn if the information given on the application form is fraudulent or misleading, and the consequence of this may be that there would be no place available at the next nearest school. The Local Authority cannot accept two applications for one child. Parents must therefore reach a joint agreement or obtain an appropriate Court Order and submit only one application form.

11. Where do I return the completed form to and by when?

Please return the completed form to the headteacher of your child's current junior/primary school by 31 October 2011. Please note this date as in the event that there are more applications than places available, applications received within the deadline will be given priority and will be considered before those handed in after the deadline.

12. When will I be informed if my child has a place at my preferred school?

You will be contacted as soon as the allocation process has been completed. In any event, you will be informed by 1 March 2012 whether or not your child has been allocated a place at your preferred school.

13. I am still unclear about the arrangements, or have a further question – where can I go for further advice?

Please contact the Admissions Team at 16 Lord Street, Wrexham, LL11 1LG or telephone 01978 297505. E-mail: A&T@wrexham.gov.uk

Should your circumstances change and you need to change your preference of school but have already returned the admission form, please contact the Admissions Office on 01978 297505

View a list of schools from our Schools Database >>

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Secondary Admission Pack

The Secondary Admission Pack is available to download in the following formats.

Secondary Admission Pack - Word Format 105Kb

Secondary Admission Pack - PDF Format 53kb

Secondary Admission Pack - Plain Text format 685Kb

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